Four of South Asia’s most popular bands got together in Delhi in May and shared the stage for the first time in the subcontinent's history of pop music. Pakistan's Junoon, Bangladeshi Miles , and two local groups from Delhi -Euphoria and Silk Route were at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to raise funds for the Rebuilding of Gujarat – a truly ‘concerted’ effort – for they were all there for a cause and were performing free.

The event was organised by Unity Media Enterprise and "the concept was mooted by Pakistan’s ‘Junoon’ and India’s ‘Silk Route’ – both wanted to do something for the quake victims."

‘Junoon’, well known and loved in South Asia for their brand of Sufi ‘rock’, and for their message of regional peace and harmony, have among their millions of fans, none other than the Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee. ‘Junoon’ were visiting Delhi, a city that clearly loves them, two years after their last concert here in 1999. "A love song from Pakistan to India" is what they performed first, followed , of course, by Sayonee and Iqbal’s Khudi ko kar buland itna. The group’s lead guitarist Salman Ahmed was recently appointed as UN’s Ambassador to promote awareness on Aids.

‘Miles’, who have been playing now for over two decades, played their mellow folk rhythms and some western melodies too.

‘Euphoria’ and ‘Silk Route’ entertained the crowds with their hit numbers from their various albums and Palash Sen (Euphoria) also rendered a medley of songs by the other three groups.

The biggest surprise of the evening came at the end, when Junoon called all the bands on the stage and they sang together. All four said that they looked forward to singing together again. They certainly had the crowds wild and dancing.

About the Bands

Euphoria - Palash "Polly" Sen, the lead singer

Silk Route - Mohit Chauhan, the lead singer, Kem Trivedi and Kenny Puri.

Miles - a 22-year-old rock band from Bangladesh - band members are Hamin, Shafin, Manam and Turjo

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